Check In Desk!

21 Mar 2007

Quote by blueandpink

To everyone
All forums will go through a cycle and the older members say "It's not like is used to be". It won't be - time changes things, people come and go and if anyone wants to be a part of this community then they have to make an effort and that means adjusting to change.
At the end of the day, it's what WE the members make it. I prefer to see people being positive about a new cycle of the forum then constantly mourning the Forum of old. This is what we make it.
pink x

:thumbup: and maybe if the newbies were interacted with a bit better they'd hang around more. I think the people moaning and mourning should post a good thread and get the forum up and laughing again! ? lol

21 Mar 2007

Quote by jaymar

To everyone
All forums will go through a cycle and the older members say "It's not like is used to be". It won't be - time changes things, people come and go and if anyone wants to be a part of this community then they have to make an effort and that means adjusting to change.
At the end of the day, it's what WE the members make it. I prefer to see people being positive about a new cycle of the forum then constantly mourning the Forum of old. This is what we make it.
pink x

:thumbup: and maybe if the newbies were interacted with a bit better they'd hang around more. I think the people moaning and mourning should post a good thread and get the forum up and laughing again! ? lol

like i said further up it takes an effort from all sides

21 Mar 2007

Quote by jaymar
I think the people moaning and mourning should post a good thread and get the forum up and laughing again! ?

I agree, but unfortunately it doesn't always workout that way.
Myself and dammie have started and been involved in some funny threads but ther reality is you still need a number of people to bounce off/join in for it to work.
Again, I don't wish that to apear disrespectful to any members on here - it's more of a number of people online thing that makes it difficult
For example - The Avatart Challenge Thread
There'd be a time when if this was bumped everyone would join in and it'd have people howling for weeks.
Now 1 user will post a new pic in it/bump it, they'll be a few posts full of "Ha ha that's really funny", then it just dies again.

21 Mar 2007

Quote by HornyLittleBlonde
I think the people moaning and mourning should post a good thread and get the forum up and laughing again! ?

I agree, but unfortunately it doesn't always workout that way.
Myself and dammie have started and been involved in some funny threads but ther reality is you still need a number of people to bounce off/join in for it to work.
Again, I don't wish that to apear disrespectful to any members on here - it's more of a number of people online thing that makes it difficult
For example - The Avatart Challenge Thread
There'd be a time when if this was bumped everyone would join in and it'd have people howling for weeks.
Now 1 user will post a new pic in it/bump it, they'll be a few posts full of "Ha ha that's really funny", then it just dies again.
i have tried posting a few threads to get some people posting have gone maybe one page and then nothing
or if i post on a thread it tends to get ignored

21 Mar 2007

Quote by earthchild
I think the people moaning and mourning should post a good thread and get the forum up and laughing again! ?

I agree, but unfortunately it doesn't always workout that way.
Myself and dammie have started and been involved in some funny threads but ther reality is you still need a number of people to bounce off/join in for it to work.
Again, I don't wish that to apear disrespectful to any members on here - it's more of a number of people online thing that makes it difficult
For example - The Avatart Challenge Thread
There'd be a time when if this was bumped everyone would join in and it'd have people howling for weeks.
Now 1 user will post a new pic in it/bump it, they'll be a few posts full of "Ha ha that's really funny", then it just dies again.
i have tried posting a few threads to get some people posting have gone maybe one page and then nothing
or if i post on a thread it tends to get ignored
I know you have hun, I've seen them and responded to them. Your threads have been well received and I defo don't think you ever get ignored :inlove:

21 Mar 2007

i could start my song titles thread and piss everyone off it got locked last time lol after about 2 posts but has gone on elsewhere for over a year lol
Earthy xx

21 Mar 2007

Quote by earthchild

To everyone
All forums will go through a cycle and the older members say "It's not like is used to be". It won't be - time changes things, people come and go and if anyone wants to be a part of this community then they have to make an effort and that means adjusting to change.
At the end of the day, it's what WE the members make it. I prefer to see people being positive about a new cycle of the forum then constantly mourning the Forum of old. This is what we make it.
pink x

:thumbup: and maybe if the newbies were interacted with a bit better they'd hang around more. I think the people moaning and mourning should post a good thread and get the forum up and laughing again! ? lol

like i said further up it takes an effort from all sides
Of course it does, but you have to admit, as does everyone, newbies often get a raw deal (even after they've had initial welcomes) - some just simply haven't a clue what it's all about and will run like frightened rabbits, I know this because I nearly did that! But I can name a handful of members that encouraged me back then and I will always remember that. wink

21 Mar 2007

Quote by earthchild
i could start my song titles thread and piss everyone off it got locked last time lol after about 2 posts but has gone on elsewhere for over a year lol
Earthy xx

Why would it be locked? and if some get pissed off with it let them sulk elsewhere!.. grrrr I have no time for people like that mad

21 Mar 2007

well, it was only going to be a matter of time before the 'undercurrent' came to the fore wasnt it.

21 Mar 2007

Quote by jaymar
i could start my song titles thread and piss everyone off it got locked last time lol after about 2 posts but has gone on elsewhere for over a year lol
Earthy xx

Why would it be locked? and if some get pissed off with it let them sulk elsewhere!.. grrrr I have no time for people like that mad

lol cos its extremely annoying one word answer thing that purely pumps up posting and even i regretted starting it lol
but it did make people post on the forum just not in any form of substance

21 Mar 2007

Quote by earthchild
i could start my song titles thread and piss everyone off it got locked last time lol after about 2 posts but has gone on elsewhere for over a year lol
Earthy xx

Why would it be locked? and if some get pissed off with it let them sulk elsewhere!.. grrrr I have no time for people like that mad

lol cos its extremely annoying one word answer thing that purely pumps up posting and even i regretted starting it lol
but it did make people post on the forum just not in any form of substance
That's the point Earthy - it's not posts of any substance that would be given. Threads like that really are pure post-count bump threads.

21 Mar 2007

Quote by Freckledbird
i could start my song titles thread and piss everyone off it got locked last time lol after about 2 posts but has gone on elsewhere for over a year lol
Earthy xx

Why would it be locked? and if some get pissed off with it let them sulk elsewhere!.. grrrr I have no time for people like that mad

lol cos its extremely annoying one word answer thing that purely pumps up posting and even i regretted starting it
was even tempted to do spelling mastokes and garamtical errors
lol
but it did make people post on the forum just not in any form of substance
That's the point Earthy - it's not posts of any substance that would be given. Threads like that really are pure post-count bump threads.
i know honey i was joking about posting it, i had a feeling you might post on this one lol
was even tempted to do spelling mastokes and garamtical errors
lol
bolt

21 Mar 2007

Quote by earthchild
was even tempted to do spelling mastokes and garamtical errors
lol

Bad Earthy!

:smackbottom: :smackbottom:
wink

21 Mar 2007

I am so glad to see this thread continuing with opinions but nicely put with emotion (naturally) but without malice. :thumbup:
HLB, I didn't realise about the numbers, I too can see how that can change the dynamics. You for one have always been very helpful to me in my welcome post and subsequent fact finding posts, so thank you, as Earthy said we all value the experience of 'older'(not age but longevity of forum use) forum members.
I did want to reply to various people's points but I still haven't worked out how to quote multiple times in a reply! loon

pink x

21 Mar 2007

Quote by Pete_sw
I find this a very interesting / informative thread. Thanks DF
As one of those guilty of being AWOL for some time now I have not been quite as aware of the cyclic demise of the Café.
Reasons for my absence are many and varied. Real life has taken its toll, since the departure of Mrs. Pete back in November I have obviously had to restyle large parts of my life, simple things like keeping house, bringing up the boy, change of schools, dealing with all the emotional stuff, my own and his that accompany the break-up of a family have all served to keep me away from the computer and particularly the forums.
Once I had settled into a new routine and the emotional spaghetti had started to settle down I did return to the forums for a while, but I felt a change there too, at the time there were a lot of “your first meet” , “how did you?”, “when did you?” type threads were doing the rounds and whereas in the past I would have been keen to contribute, I now found them somewhat upsetting as they would bring back some quite poignant memories of the time when Mrs. Pete and I were in the scene / lifestyle so very quickly learned to skim past threads that had the potential for stirring up too many memories.
Also around that time there seemed to be quite a few threads that were inviting members to openly whinge about other peoples posting styles, thread titles and / or content. My general mood at the time just made me go along the ‘oh well, I’ll leave em to it’ road rather than my usual response which would have been to wade in and gob off.
Add to all of the above that real life has been a bit of a nightmare recently and has taken up a huge amount of my time (wont get into it here or the post will get moved to the steam room) suffice to say that just trying to manage day to day survival has been a constant battle, and that last Monday, I finally found myself with a couple of hours to spare, a nice sunny day, I decide to take the dog for a nice long walk and end up breaking my feckin ankle to say that life’s a bitch, for me, has been a slight understatement of late.
All that said, things are slowly getting back to normality, erm, well manageability at least and am finding more and more time to get involved again.
So Darkfire my sexy little ray of sunshine :kiss: theres my reasons for being AWOL for so long.
Looking forward to hearing some details from a few of the other peeps I used to bounce off of in here (yes I too am a nosey git)
:cheers: all
Pete

Pete long time no see but I'm really glad you are getting back on your feet again hun. :kiss:

21 Mar 2007

Quote by earthchild
I think the people moaning and mourning should post a good thread and get the forum up and laughing again! ?

I agree, but unfortunately it doesn't always workout that way.
Myself and dammie have started and been involved in some funny threads but ther reality is you still need a number of people to bounce off/join in for it to work.
Again, I don't wish that to apear disrespectful to any members on here - it's more of a number of people online thing that makes it difficult
For example - The Avatart Challenge Thread
There'd be a time when if this was bumped everyone would join in and it'd have people howling for weeks.
Now 1 user will post a new pic in it/bump it, they'll be a few posts full of "Ha ha that's really funny", then it just dies again.
i have tried posting a few threads to get some people posting have gone maybe one page and then nothing
or if i post on a thread it tends to get ignored
Indeed, to all :thumbup:
similarly, I've been pulling threads out my ass recently in an effort to get more people posting/ involved....and have had to go back in repeatedly and purposely to bump it up & keep the momentum going 'come on, come on, post, all contributions welcome' type shite - I feel like the bloody childcatcher! I now feel like I'm forcing threads that people either think are crap, or they're just not interested, so what is the fookin point? dunno

21 Mar 2007

Quote by hisandhers
Pete long time no see but I'm really glad you are getting back on your feet again hun.

why thankyou :kiss:
I think this is a really good thread, the responses have been informative and measured, certainly made me think about a few things concerning posting etiquete et all.
:thumbup:

21 Mar 2007

Quote by Darkfire
I now feel like I'm forcing threads that people either think are crap, or they're just not interested, so what is the fookin point?

Dark the point is, you arecreating discussion and some good threads that are well worth the read.
You can't be responsible for others not replying but that should never stop you thinking of new threads :thumbup:

21 Mar 2007

Quote by Pete_sw
I find this a very interesting / informative thread. Thanks DF
As one of those guilty of being AWOL for some time now I have not been quite as aware of the cyclic demise of the Café.
Reasons for my absence are many and varied. Real life has taken its toll, since the departure of Mrs. Pete back in November I have obviously had to restyle large parts of my life, simple things like keeping house, bringing up the boy, change of schools, dealing with all the emotional stuff, my own and his that accompany the break-up of a family have all served to keep me away from the computer and particularly the forums.
Once I had settled into a new routine and the emotional spaghetti had started to settle down I did return to the forums for a while, but I felt a change there too, at the time there were a lot of “your first meet” , “how did you?”, “when did you?” type threads were doing the rounds and whereas in the past I would have been keen to contribute, I now found them somewhat upsetting as they would bring back some quite poignant memories of the time when Mrs. Pete and I were in the scene / lifestyle so very quickly learned to skim past threads that had the potential for stirring up too many memories.
Also around that time there seemed to be quite a few threads that were inviting members to openly whinge about other peoples posting styles, thread titles and / or content. My general mood at the time just made me go along the ‘oh well, I’ll leave em to it’ road rather than my usual response which would have been to wade in and gob off.
Add to all of the above that real life has been a bit of a nightmare recently and has taken up a huge amount of my time (wont get into it here or the post will get moved to the steam room) suffice to say that just trying to manage day to day survival has been a constant battle, and that last Monday, I finally found myself with a couple of hours to spare, a nice sunny day, I decide to take the dog for a nice long walk and end up breaking my feckin ankle to say that life’s a bitch, for me, has been a slight understatement of late.
All that said, things are slowly getting back to normality, erm, well manageability at least and am finding more and more time to get involved again.
So Darkfire my sexy little ray of sunshine :kiss: theres my reasons for being AWOL for so long.
Looking forward to hearing some details from a few of the other peeps I used to bounce off of in here (yes I too am a nosey git)
:cheers: all
Pete

Oi mush!
Ditto that, but it has to be said the forums have been a welcome distraction for me. Yes, perhaps there hasn't been the laughter there used to be, but then again I know a lot of people have been having tough times of late.
Perhaps 2007 should be renamed the "year of life being shite".
And Pete :kiss:

21 Mar 2007

Quote by winchwench
Oi mush!
Ditto that, but it has to be said the forums have been a welcome distraction for me. Yes, perhaps there hasn't been the laughter there used to be, but then again I know a lot of people have been having tough times of late.
Perhaps 2007 should be renamed the "year of life being shite".
And Pete

:kiss: yerself lol

seriously though, you're right, a lot of folks on here have been going through the mill of late for all kinds of reasons so i guess we should all take into account that life sometimes prevents you doing the things you enjoy.
I made myself a promise last Christmas that 2007 would be my year, and despite life conspiring in every way to ensure that it wont, i bear a quote in mind, and for the purists here this is off the top of my head so don’t shoot me ..........Non illigitamus carborundum
I have made this my motto for the year, and intend to stick to it :lol:
:cheers:

21 Mar 2007

Quote by Pete_sw

Oi mush!
Ditto that, but it has to be said the forums have been a welcome distraction for me. Yes, perhaps there hasn't been the laughter there used to be, but then again I know a lot of people have been having tough times of late.
Perhaps 2007 should be renamed the "year of life being shite".
And Pete

:kiss: yerself lol

Don't have illegitimate cardboard babies dunno

WTF are you on man?
seriously though, you're right, a lot of folks on here have been going through the mill of late for all kinds of reasons so i guess we should all take into account that life sometimes prevents you doing the things you enjoy.
I made myself a promise last Christmas that 2007 would be my year, and despite life conspiring in every way to ensure that it wont, i bear a quote in mind, and for the purists here this is off the top of my head so don’t shoot me ..........Non illigitamus carborundum
I have made this my motto for the year, and intend to stick to it :lol:
:cheers:

21 Mar 2007

Quote by winchwench

Oi mush!
Ditto that, but it has to be said the forums have been a welcome distraction for me. Yes, perhaps there hasn't been the laughter there used to be, but then again I know a lot of people have been having tough times of late.
Perhaps 2007 should be renamed the "year of life being shite".
And Pete

:kiss: yerself lol

WTF are you on man?
seriously though, you're right, a lot of folks on here have been going through the mill of late for all kinds of reasons so i guess we should all take into account that life sometimes prevents you doing the things you enjoy.
I made myself a promise last Christmas that 2007 would be my year, and despite life conspiring in every way to ensure that it wont, i bear a quote in mind, and for the purists here this is off the top of my head so don’t shoot me ..........Non illigitamus carborundum
I have made this my motto for the year, and intend to stick to it :lol:
:cheers:
Don't have illegitimate cardboard babies dunno

:rotflmao:
you should be on the stage :lol2:
drinkies

:cheers:

.

21 Mar 2007

Quote by Pete_sw

Oi mush!
Ditto that, but it has to be said the forums have been a welcome distraction for me. Yes, perhaps there hasn't been the laughter there used to be, but then again I know a lot of people have been having tough times of late.
Perhaps 2007 should be renamed the "year of life being shite".
And Pete

:kiss: yerself lol

WTF are you on man?
seriously though, you're right, a lot of folks on here have been going through the mill of late for all kinds of reasons so i guess we should all take into account that life sometimes prevents you doing the things you enjoy.
I made myself a promise last Christmas that 2007 would be my year, and despite life conspiring in every way to ensure that it wont, i bear a quote in mind, and for the purists here this is off the top of my head so don’t shoot me ..........Non illigitamus carborundum
I have made this my motto for the year, and intend to stick to it :lol:
:cheers:
Don't have illegitimate cardboard babies dunno

:rotflmao:
you should be on the stage :lol2:
drinkies

:cheers:

.
You're not the first to have said that as it happens- although right now it feels more like I should be under the table :lol:
But really, cardboard babies- think of the paper cut implications :scared:

22 Mar 2007

I think it's obvious that numbers have declined in the forum, I don't see any point in yearning for the good old days, I think it would be much more useful working out why so many people left.
And it's not all down to the take-over, I joined after that happened and even I've seen the decline.
My 2p worth would be that unlike several other forums I use (no I don't use 'over the road' lol

) the SH forum seems too tightly controlled in the sense that the format is very rigid and set in ‘it’s’ way..
So what if some people want to boost their post count? I think 99% of people agree it means f*ck all! What harm does it do?
So what if a question has been asked before? Some people weren't here before. Don’t answer the thread!
The forum can only evolve if people allow it to, nothing ever stays the same.
The constant comparisons to the good old days just makes some people feel inadequate and that they aren't good enough to post on a message board. I mean what has it come to when a new person doesn't feel they can post because it won't be up to the expected standard or isn't a decent enough subject that ads value to the forum that people would dane to answer?
At the end of the day it's the people that make the community not a website. The SH forum is a great facility, if only people were allowed to have fun.
**** DISCLAIMER **** This post is NOT aimed at any one person or persons. If anyone has any issue with what I posted or any questions please feel free to say so.

22 Mar 2007

Quote by Miss_Kiss
I think it's obvious that numbers have declined in the forum, I don't see any point in yearning for the good old days, I think it would be much more useful working out why so many people left.
And it's not all down to the take-over, I joined after that happened and even I've seen the decline.
My 2p worth would be that unlike several other forums I use (no I don't use 'over the road' ) the SH forum seems too tightly controlled in the sense that the format is very rigid and set in ‘it’s’ way..
So what if some people want to boost their post count? I think 99% of people agree it means f*ck all! What harm does it do?
So what if a question has been asked before? Some people weren't here before. Don’t answer the thread!
The forum can only evolve if people allow it to, nothing ever stays the same.
The constant comparisons to the good old days just makes some people feel inadequate and that they aren't good enough to post on a message board. I mean what has it come to when a new person doesn't feel they can post because it won't be up to the expected standard or isn't a decent enough subject that ads value to the forum that people would dane to answer?
At the end of the day it's the people that make the community not a website. The SH forum is a great facility, if only people were allowed to have fun.
**** DISCLAIMER **** This post is NOT aimed at any one person or persons. If anyone has any issue with what I posted or any questions please feel free to say so.

Here here i agree, I'm more of a arnold Schwarzenegger poster(one liner poster)i come here to loose steam, i spend all day thinking and analyzing stuff.

22 Mar 2007

Quote by Miss_Kiss
The constant comparisons to the good old days just makes some people feel inadequate and that they aren't good enough to post on a message board. I mean what has it come to when a new person doesn't feel they can post because it won't be up to the expected standard or isn't a decent enough subject that ads value to the forum that people would dane to answer?
At the end of the day it's the people that make the community not a website. The SH forum is a great facility, if only people were allowed to have fun.
**** DISCLAIMER **** This post is NOT aimed at any one person or persons. If anyone has any issue with what I posted or any questions please feel free to say so.

By the same token though Kiss, there is also the current air that people can't post - not because they dont have valid contributions to make and oppinions to share, but because we have become very fond here of pulling out the bullying card, wolf-pack mentality & far too accepting of the "some people" digs and snide comments, like its 'ok to do this as long as you dont name and shame' rolleyes

what it actually does is create an atmosphere where such posts are automatically seen as digs at others. Sometimes you cant breathe around here anymore without someone waving the 'if you dont like it, fuck off' , 'you dont integrate' or 'yes this is aimed at you but I wouldnt say it to you straight' card. And there are far more of those directed at 'regulars' than there are at 'newbies'.
There's no wonder people are staying away, or simply lurking in the background shaking their head in despair.

22 Mar 2007

Quote by Darkfire

The constant comparisons to the good old days just makes some people feel inadequate and that they aren't good enough to post on a message board. I mean what has it come to when a new person doesn't feel they can post because it won't be up to the expected standard or isn't a decent enough subject that ads value to the forum that people would dane to answer?
At the end of the day it's the people that make the community not a website. The SH forum is a great facility, if only people were allowed to have fun.
**** DISCLAIMER **** This post is NOT aimed at any one person or persons. If anyone has any issue with what I posted or any questions please feel free to say so.

By the same token though Kiss, there is also the current air that people can't post - not because they dont have valid contributions to make and oppinions to share, but because we have become very fond here of pulling out the bullying card, wolf-pack mentality & far too accepting of the "some people" digs and snide comments, like its 'ok to do this as long as you dont name and shame' rolleyes

what it actually does is create an atmosphere where such posts are automatically seen as digs at others. Sometimes you cant breathe around here anymore without someone waving the 'if you dont like it, fuck off' , 'you dont integrate' or 'yes this is aimed at you but I wouldnt say it to you straight' card. And there are far more of those directed at 'regulars' than there are at 'newbies'.
There's no wonder people are staying away, or simply lurking in the background shaking their head in despair.
I couldn't agree more DF! I was even guilty of behaving in a similar way when I first joined because that seemed to be a large part of the culture. (No I'm not making excuses).
I think in my previous post I went off on a bit of a tangent and you DF have managed to hit the nail on the head.
I've just got to the point where I personally think f*ck it lets just try and start again, even welcome the 'pointless' posting so it does bring in a lot of new people in the hopes that the whinging and sniping will be drowned out to some extent. (Yes I am wearing rose tinted spectacles as it happens.)
I also think we should get rid of the :roll: emoticon!! Nothing quite makes a person feel so small and like sodding off than that little 'harmless' gif.
Whilst the number of "you post isn't worthy/intersting/valid" people are about than new people things will carry on the same.
I've even got to the point where I think a 'post count' thread or two would be a good idea :shock: kind of a gentle introduction to posting and a way to start off.
I'm rambling again!

22 Mar 2007

Quote by Scandal
I also think we should get rid of the emoticon!! Nothing quite makes a person feel so small and like sodding off than that little 'harmless' gif.

Apart from;
"fuck off you ugly twat I wouldn't fuck you if you were the last bloke on the planet"
lol

:lol: :lol:

:rotflmao: :rotflmao:
Scandal! smackbottom

You know very well what I mean. But yes I guess your phrase might just pip the post on being belittling!

22 Mar 2007

Quote by Miss_Kiss
[
I've just got to the point where I personally think f*ck it lets just try and start again, even welcome the 'pointless' posting so it does bring in a lot of new people in the hopes that the whinging and sniping will be drowned out to some extent. (Yes I am wearing rose tinted spectacles as it happens.)
I also think we should get rid of the emoticon!! Nothing quite makes a person feel so small and like sodding off than that little 'harmless' gif.
I've even got to the point where I think a 'post count' thread or two would be a good idea :shock: kind of a gentle introduction to posting and a way to start off.

i am at the same point honey and some people do like the post count threads and find them fun, so why shouldnt they get to post on them if they want to,(another old argument lol)
just getting people to participate in anything is a start
Earthy xx

22 Mar 2007

I quite like the rolleyes

Says a lot without saying too much ;-)